Schneiderman's entertainment career began in high scho… Read Full Bio ↴EARLY HISTORY
Schneiderman's entertainment career began in high school where she merged an interest in singing and theater, which included lead roles in musicals and plays, as well as mastering piano, guitar and french horn. By age 18 she was fronting a cover band and went on to perform with Body and Soul, the region's top Motown/old school funk act. Despite performing for crowds of up to 15,000, Schneiderman was dreaming about starting a solo career and in 1999 left to become a full-time singer/songwriter.
During that first year Schneiderman won the grand prize in The Lilith Fair competition and released
her self-titled acoustic debut to ecstatic reviews. The album remained on the Top Selling Northwest Bands Chart for over a year. She showcased at NACA and toured throughout Wyoming, Montana, Alaska, Idaho, Washington, Utah, and Oregon. By the end or 2000 she was ready to go into the studio to record "Unbelievably Unbroken."
CURRENT STORY
In 1999 Stephanie Schneiderman began her solo career by beating
out hundreds of aspiring singer/songwriters to win a slot on
Lilith Fair. Since then the Portland, Oregon native has released
two critically received full-length albums and has developed a
riveting band presentation that continues to evolve and bring
her national attention.
Schneiderman's 2001 release, "Unbelievably Unbroken," drew major
label attention for her versatility and chameleon-like voice (with comparisons ranging Sheryl Crow, to Jeff Buckley to Patti Griffin). The first single, "New Skin Completed," was in regular rotation on KINK (Portland's leading Triple A station) and was featured on the WB's prime time show "Jack & Jill," and was the title track for the movie "Kat and Allison." Since then Schneiderman has released a 7-song EP and is set to release a brand new record, entitled Touch Down.
First Crack
Stephanie Schneiderman Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
have you ever gone this far
now I’m calling you out about it
have you ever gone this far
and it feels like a broken piece of glass
and it feels like a hologram at best
swollen words of emptiness
have you ever thought about it
If this is the first crack
it’s the one you can’t get back
it’s the one you can’t get back
now you’re shattering the rest
with your words of emptiness
Every moment a dying race
every word to save your face
swollen words of grace
have you ever thought about
have you ever thought about
The lyrics of Stephanie Schneiderman's song "First Crack" express the idea of irreparable damage and its consequences. The singer starts by asking the listener whether they have ever thought about going too far in a situation, indicating that she is about to address this very topic. She goes on to describe the feeling of damage as being like a broken piece of glass or a hologram at best. These metaphors suggest that the damage is both irrevocable and intangible, making it all the more insidious.
The chorus of the song introduces the concept of a "first crack." This crack is significant because it is the one that can't be undone. Once something is damaged in this way, there is no going back to the way things were before. The idea of a "dying race" adds to the sense of urgency in the song, as though time is running out to fix the situation. At the same time, the lyrics suggest that the person responsible for the damage is more concerned with saving face than with repairing what they have broken.
Overall, "First Crack" is a cautionary tale about the dangers of pushing a situation too far. It emphasizes the importance of recognizing when damage has been done and taking steps to address it.
Line by Line Meaning
Have you ever thought about it
Have you ever truly considered the impact of your actions or words?
have you ever gone this far
Have you ever pushed yourself to the limits and faced the consequences?
now I’m calling you out about it
I am challenging you to confront the truth about your actions or words.
and it feels like a broken piece of glass
The situation is painful and fragmented, like a shattered piece of glass that cannot be put back together.
and it feels like a hologram at best
The situation is unclear and illusory, like a hologram that can never truly be grasped.
swollen words of emptiness
Your words are empty, swollen with emotion but devoid of substance.
If this is the first crack
If this is where the problem begins
it’s the one you can’t get back
The damage caused by this crack cannot be undone or fixed.
now you’re shattering the rest
Your actions are causing further damage or destruction.
Every moment a dying race
Time is fleeting and precious, each moment is a race against the inevitable end.
every word to save your face
You are only speaking to protect your own reputation or avoid culpability.
swollen words of grace
Your words are hypocritical and insincere, filled with feigned kindness or forgiveness.
have you ever thought about
Once again, I ask you to truly consider the impact of your actions or words.
Contributed by Sadie O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.